Disparities in the peri‐urbanization patterns in two study areas are associated with mixed factors.Distance
from a major city is negatively correlated to agricultural land development.Road density is negatively associated with agricultural land abandonment.
This study compares the urbanization patterns and dynamics of agricultural land in two peri‐urban areas (Alberta Capital Region and Calgary Regional Partnership) in Canada. Hot spot analysis is conducted to identify the spatial clustering of agriculture‐to‐development conversion
and areas at greatest risk. Pearson's correlation analysis is used to explore the association of urbanization and different agricultural land transitions. Key findings include: (1) disparities in the peri‐urbanization patterns in the two study areas are associated with a mix of different
geographic, economic, and policy influences; and (2) in general, distance from a major city is negatively correlated to agricultural land development and road density is negatively associated with agricultural land abandonment. Policy recommendations such as a call for infill development and
regional buffer areas are discussed.